The American remote workforce has grown tremendously, and for many of these people, working from home is not ideal. Some people may not have the space to work at home, or may have trouble focusing. Others might leave the house to avoid feeling isolated or bored at home all day. Coworking spaces evolved as a solution to crowded coffee shops with spotty WiFi, and to provide a more affordable alternative to renting a private office. But they also allow independent entrepreneurs to network with other professionals. And while many people head there each day to get their job done, coworking spaces are about so much more than working. Most of them offer programs for professionals to develop essential skills to market themselves and expand the services they provide, and mentorship programs with veterans in a variety of fields. They also host networking events and social gatherings to give remote workers the sense of the community they may miss from a traditional office job. But the beauty of it is that you don’t have to participate, and you can come and go as you please throughout your workday without the hassle of checking in with your boss.Whatever your reason for seeking out coworking, living in San Francisco offers a wide variety of options to choose from. Most of them have membership tiers for different levels of access, and the price can vary widely. Ask about trial passes before you commit – some may be free, and others may prorate your membership fee if you apply within a specific time frame. Here are some exceptional coworking spaces the city has to offer:
1. Covo
Covo is 18,000 square feet with three levels for you to stretch out and find your favorite work area. For a little extra each month, you can have a dedicated desk or a private office. They have a cafe and a taproom onsite where you can host events, receive clients, and relax during a busy day. There’s even a nap room! (Let’s face it – mid-day naps are the number one reason you signed up for a remote job.) Other Covo amenities include 24/7 access, meeting rooms, events, phones, coffee and tea, and mail service.
2. Anchor
Anchor is a cozy, relaxed environment to get your work done, but you can also goof around and play foosball, try on costumes, and relax in the lounges – or use the mediation area when you need to reboot. But the best thing about Anchor is the incredibly affordable personal desk and private office options, so you can personalize your workspace without breaking the bank. Members get 24/7 access, free use of a business-class color printer, a business address, and bookable conference rooms.
3. The Ruby
The Ruby is a coworking space founded exclusively for creative and professional women, including trans women, and nonbinary people, who want to connect with others in a safe, supportive environment. Writers, designers, podcast creators, photographers, and other creative professionals gather here to work and enjoy great company. Amenities include lockers, showers, a lending library, classes, and events, as well as access to conference rooms and conference phones.
4. Tech Space
Tech Space is a coworking space geared towards tech startups (this is San Francisco, after all), which can handle solo workers as well as teams of up to 50 people in their private office suites. The spacious building offers 333 workstations and sleek, progressive architecture. Members get 24/7 access and top-notch connectivity with burstable bandwidth. Amenities include a full kitchen, fresh coffee and tea, and a game room to help you reboot.
5. Bespoke
Bespoke is a retail-tech industry-focused space where members can work with a retail-tech industry specialist to help them achieve their goals and stay relevant. If that’s not enough to sell it, then the rooftop access will. The space is pet-friendly and has a private room for breastfeeding mothers. Amenities include 24/7 access, unlimited printing, a bocce ball green, partner discounts, and privacy e-glass for sensitive projects. You can also get access to coworking spaces across the world through the League of Extraordinary Coworking Spaces.
6. Shared
For a place that’s inviting to all kinds of professionals, be they engineers, writers, artists, or makers, check out Shared. In addition to the traditional office space amenities, they also provide tools like saws, anvils, and industrial sewing machines. You can find private workstations or larger play areas at Shared, and making a mess is encouraged so you can hone valuable skills like smithing, sewing, and carpentry.
7. Impact Hub
Focused on non-profit startups and social activists, Impact Hub is an ideal place to connect with other people trying to make a difference with the work they do. Coworking here lets you network with individuals and organizations driving to improve global issues like income equality, inclusive technology, and climate change.